Logan Knoper '16
Although I thoroughly enjoyed the classes that I took, my favorite memory at GVSU was attending the sporting events like soccer games and football tailgates with friends.
Geology-Chemistry Career Guide
Academic Resources
Explore our Geology-Chemistry academic resources, designed to support your academic aspirations.
Curriculum Guide
Feeling like you don't know what to do with all of this great information? We highly encourage to make an appointment with your academic advisor and career advisor. Another great starting point is the Self-Guided Career Exploration Tool.
Career Resources
Unlock career potential in Geology-Chemistry! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.
Menu of Experiences
Sample Geology Internship Sites
Internships provide a way for you to get hands-on, supervised experience in the world of work. You are able to apply the concepts you are learning in the classroom to a work environment.
Join A Student Organization
Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!
Relevant Courses and Certificates for Building Skills
Developing the relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider strategic elective courses and certificates to pair with their major in order to gain additional skills.
Community Service Opportunities
Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.
The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.
Geology-Chemistry Study Abroad Options
Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.
Imagine analyzing volcanic gas samples in Iceland or studying mineral compositions in the mines of South Africa, where geology and chemistry intersect in powerful ways. Picture yourself tracing chemical signatures in ancient rocks to understand Earth's early atmosphere or working in cutting-edge labs abroad that specialize in geochemical research. Imagine learning how different countries approach environmental challenges like groundwater contamination or soil remediation. Studying abroad offers geology-chemistry students a unique opportunity to explore the planet’s physical and chemical processes firsthand while gaining global insight into scientific collaboration and environmental problem-solving.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Pursuing academic, creative, and research experiences and projects outside the classroom is an excellent way to learn new skills and build a body of work in your field.
Fellowship Opportunities
Fellowships are high-impact, potentially life-changing opportunities for students and alumni, opening doors to careers in public service, advanced academic study, foreign service, international teaching, and other career and service pathways into meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Geology-Chemistry Career Spotlights
Where Alumni Have Landed
- Environmental Quality Analyst - Department of Environmental Quality
- Environmental Technician - City of Kalamazoo
- Environmental Compliance Manager - Kent County Department of Public Works
- Engineering Geologist - Mark T. Mitchell Ltd
- Appraisal Technician - Muskegon County
- Geologist - Barr Engineering
- Landfill Remediation Technician - Kent County
- Science Teacher - West Ottawa High School
- Exploration Geologist - Eagle Mine
- Junior Geologist - Groundwater and Environmental Service, Inc.
- Laboratory Assistant - Grand Rapids Community College
Attend Events
Career Community- Education, Nonprofit & Public Service
GVSU Winter 2026 Career and Internship Fair
February 19, 2026 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The Winter Career & Internship Fair is an excellent place to kick off your job or internship search, or to begin networking with organizations looking to hire Grand Valley students and alumni...
2026 GVSU Health Professional Graduate School Fair
March 25, 2026 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Interested in exploring educational opportunities beyond your bachelor’s degree? Thinking of attending graduate or professional school for healthcare? Save the date for the Health Professional...
View More Career Community- Education, Nonprofit & Public Service
Consider joining the Education, Nonprofit, and Public Service Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!
Beyond Undergraduate: Graduate or Professional Programs
You’ve built a solid foundation in both geology and chemistry, and now you’re ready to specialize, research, and apply your knowledge to real-world challenges. Graduate school can help you dive into the complex interactions between Earth’s physical structure and its chemical processes.
Master of Science (MS) in Geochemistry or Environmental Geoscience: These programs are ideal for students interested in topics like soil and water contamination, mineral analysis, or isotope geochemistry. You'll gain advanced lab and field skills that prepare you for careers in environmental consulting, energy, or government research.
PhD in Geochemistry: If you’re passionate about original research and want to explore areas like planetary materials, hydrothermal systems, or climate archives, a PhD allows you to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries. This path often leads to academic, governmental, or high-level industry positions.
Interdisciplinary Programs: Many graduate programs combine geology and chemistry with fields like environmental science, public health, or engineering. These programs are perfect for students who want to address complex problems such as pollution, resource management, or climate change from a multi-disciplinary perspective.
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Career Center Resources
Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.